Crucial NA session with no-trust motion on agenda begins today

The all-important session of the National Assembly that would put the fate of already beleaguered government at stake after the tabling of a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister will start today (Monday) at 4pm, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The no-trust motion is part of the 26-point agenda for the sitting of today’s session of the lower house. Another important bill that is on the assembly’s agenda is the government-sponsored constitutional amendment bill seeking the creation of south Punjab province.

Besides these, several other ordinances will also be moved during today’s session and an extension will be sought on some of the ordinances.

But the most critical thing on agenda is the no-confidence resolution on which 147 members of the assembly belonging to the opposition parties have put their signatures.

The motion states that since the prime minister has lost the majority that’s why he should be removed from office.

During the first half of the assembly session, the no-trust resolution is expected to be tabled. If 20% of the assembly members were in favour of it, then the house would adopt it for discussion.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif would open debate on the resolution.

However, the joint opposition would hold its meeting before the assembly session in the assembly’s committee room.  

PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, JUI leader Maulana Asad Mehmood, Balochistan National Party (Mengal) Chief Akhtar Mengal and other opposition leaders would participate in the meeting.

The opposition would devise its strategy during the huddle. It would also chalk out a plan for the speeches to be delivered on the floor of the house by the opposition members.

Strict security arrangements have been made for today’s assembly session. The parliament members are not allowed to bring guests along with them. Security staff too is barred from entering the limits of the Parliament House.

The opposition enjoys the support of 163 MNAs in a 342-strong house. After the Jamhoori Watan Party leader Shahzain Bugti who quit the government on Sunday, the number of treasury members has been reduced to 178.

However, three allies of government: PML-Q, Balochistan Awami Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan which joint have 17 members in the assembly have yet to decide which side they are on. These parties are still negotiating with both the government and opposition parties.